Hold the Applause: Confessions of a Conflicted Clapper

[Lepanto]

I know that there are a very few, very specific times when clapping is called for in the liturgy, i.e., ordinations and when a new bishop takes over a diocese, but here is an excellent article on clapping in general while at Mass.

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*“Whenever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of the liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment.” *

The above words were penned by our Holy Father Pope Benedict the XVI, (then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger) on p. 198 of his book entitled The Spirit of the Liturgy. I first read this book before our Holy Father became pope. The book did three things to me. First, it made me acutely aware that there was much about the meaning of the liturgy to which I was blind. Second, it deepened my love for the liturgy. Third, it put me in conflict with respect to how I needed to approach Mass. One area of conflict was in clapping at Mass.

Having read Cardinal Ratzinger’s words on clapping, I wondered how I could continue to clap at Mass in good conscience. As one who has been to Masses where there was clapping for just about everyone, from musicians, lectors, altar servers and church decorators to priests giving homilies and lay people giving testimonies, I began to wonder why we clap at Mass at all.

full article:
catholicexchange.com/2008/07/22/113245/

 

[puzzleannie]

this practice has bothered me for at least 30 years, since the first time I encountered it, and I manage my discomfort by simply ignoring any directive to clap (just as I ignore the nudgers and aggressive ushers who try to force me to hold hands).

 

[Joe_Kelley]

. . .
*“Whenever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of the liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment.” *

The above words were penned by our Holy Father Pope Benedict the XVI, (then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger) on p. 198 of his book entitled The Spirit of the Liturgy. . . ./

 

[Orogeny]

this practice has bothered me for at least 30 years, since the first time I encountered it, and I manage my discomfort by simply ignoring any directive to clap (just as I ignore the nudgers and aggressive ushers who try to force me to hold hands).

I agree. I don’t clap in Mass.

Peace

Tim

 

[bpbasilphx]

I don’t really like it either, but the sermons of St. John Chrysostom and St. Augustine refer to people applauding during them.

So it’s an old, old issue.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I guess Pope Benedict XVI, should’ve shown his disapproval when he received a round of applause at the WYD Mass.

Jim

 

[MarieVeronica]

Lepanto, thank you for sharing the link.

Applause during Mass… is my PET PEEVE:tsktsk: And one of the most disturbing “changes” I noticed, upon my return to the faith (after a 10 year absence).

There is one lady, who sits two/three pews ahead of us… almost every Sunday, in the same place. She “starts” the applause after many choir offerings. I pray to her Guardian Angel, to “pin” her hands down, so she can’t clap. For some reason… she simply doesn’t know any better.

I have kicked around the idea of approaching the Choir Director… and asking if he could perhaps make an announcement, before Mass begins… “No applause, please”… or something to that effect.

Think it would do any good?

 

[benedictgal]

I guess Pope Benedict XVI, should’ve shown his disapproval when he received a round of applause at the WYD Mass.

Jim

Applause is generally used as a sign of respect for the Supreme Pontiff. That is how he is normally greeted wherever he goes. However, the applause ends as soon as Mass begins.

Incidentally, there is no applause for the Holy Father during Triduum. The assembly is silent during Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the beginning of the Easter Vigil. It is only at the recessional hymn that the applause breaks out.

Now, the faithful clapped as the Papal Gentlemen lifted and slightly bowed John Paul’s casket before he made his last entrance into St. Peter’s for his burial in the crypt. This was a sign of the farewell of the faithful.

But, to applaud the choir, the smattering of birthdays, anniversaries and welcomes is not at all appropriate.

 

[Karl_M]

There was once spontaneous applause, after our priest’s final homily of his career. His retirement coincided with Luke 10:25-37.
He told a story about how every re-assingment of his forty years happened on the exact same Gospel reading, and talked about his years as a priest, encouraged vocations.

He had to cut his homily short so neither he nor us would break into tears (and it was pretty close, let me tell you). The chruch broke out in heartfelt applause-not the type when you just do it to be nice, this was nearly a roar. Again, to avoid the waterworks, he launched right into the Profession of Faith (and again, we almost didn’t make it).

But that’s a different situation then what you’re talking about, I just wanted to share it.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Applause is generally used as a sign of respect for the Supreme Pontiff. That is how he is normally greeted wherever he goes. However, the applause ends as soon as Mass begins.

Incidentally, there is no applause for the Holy Father during Triduum. The assembly is silent during Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the beginning of the Easter Vigil. It is only at the recessional hymn that the applause breaks out.

Now, the faithful clapped as the Papal Gentlemen lifted and slightly bowed John Paul’s casket before he made his last entrance into St. Peter’s for his burial in the crypt. This was a sign of the farewell of the faithful.

But, to applaud the choir, the smattering of birthdays, anniversaries and welcomes is not at all appropriate.

Actually, at the Final Mass, there was applause for the Pope, before the final blessing, which is where it usually happens at parish Mass. Also, there was not only applause for the Pope, there was an applause for all the people mentioned, including the choir, and those who help make the WYD celebration a success.

The Pope himself smiled and brought his hands together in a gesture of gratitude, when the people that were being congratulated at the WYD Mass

You can’t take the human element out of the Mass. Applauding the choir, or some other member of the parish, who went above and beyond on an issue, before the final blessing, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

This isn’t taking away from the Mass by any measure, because except for the final blessing, the Mass is over.

Jim

 

[nightwalker]

As Pope St Pius X said,“It is not fitting for the servant to be applauded in his master’s house.”

 

[Donna_Mc]

This is something that really bothers me too unless it is related
to a special occasion as some have mentioned, like the priest’s
last homily.

 

[MrS]

Fr Groeschel said we could do it.,
,
,
,
,as long as we only use one hand.

 

[reff]

Lepanto, thank you for sharing the link.

I have kicked around the idea of approaching the Choir Director… and asking if he could perhaps make an announcement, before Mass begins… “No applause, please”… or something to that effect.

Think it would do any good?

I don’t see what’s holding you back, talk to him and tell him to make an announcement before mass. You have nothing to lose for asking friend:thumbsup:

 

[blaskoman]

surely clapping for the newly married after the mass has ended should be appropriate.

 

[Pro_Domina]

Random clapping is bad.

An announcement of great importance is not.

When the bishop proclaims that the candidates for ordination have been accepted and that the ordination will proceed, it is actually rude not to clap.

 

[benedictgal]

Random clapping is bad.

An announcement of great importance is not.

When the bishop proclaims that the candidates for ordination have been accepted and that the ordination will proceed, it is actually rude not to clap.

Pro Domina, your location is Rome. Have you been to any of the Papal Masses? Does the clapping occur as the Holy Father processes up the aisle? It ceases the minute he reaches the altar, right?

I mention this because, as far as I can tell, clapping for him is a sign of respect. Of course, spontaneous applause will break out during his homily, but, that, too is a sign of respect. What is your opinion on this?

 

[allhers]

What I learned growing up probably still applies, with very minor exceptions, NEVER clap at Mass unless the Priest starts it.
(the exceptions would be, when it is the Priest’s final Mass, the Bishop announcing Ordinations, or something along those lines.)
The choir, music director, alter servers, are only applauded IF Father suggests it. (and normally they don’t suggest it unless it is under very rare occasions.)

 

[krazykatlady]

Unfortunately, some folks get the idea that if applause is okay, then so is cheering and whistling, just like at a performance. This happens at my parish from time to time. Then the whole atmosphere of reverence breaks down and it is hard to regain. As for me, I refuse to applaud. If Father tells everyone to applaud for someone I offer a silent prayer for them instead.

 

[allhers]

Unfortunately, some folks get the idea that if applause is okay, then so is cheering and whistling, just like at a performance. This happens at my parish from time to time. Then the whole atmosphere of reverence breaks down and it is hard to regain. As for me, I refuse to applaud. If Father tells everyone to applaud for someone I offer a silent prayer for them instead.

Excellent idea if you have an overly “clappy” one. I remember one Parish we use to go to on occasion, when we would see this certain Priest, I would offer a silent prayer for him, in my mind I called him Fr. Clappy. I know, that isn’t very respectful, and I am sorry, but this man clapped about everything, wanted everyone greeting one another before Mass and talking in the Church was well, just his way. He was not respectful of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament at all, I pray still for that Priest when I think of him, and this thread reminds me of him, so prayers still are going up for him.